Temporomandibular joint disease (also known as TMD, or TMJ disease) is a chronic degenerative disease that may take years to develop. It is a progressive condition, and if left untreated can cause severe damage to the teeth and joints. People who suffer from TMJ disease usually have a structural imbalance in their jaw-to-skull relationship, caused by a misaligned bite.


TMJ Symptoms

The disease can cause the following and other symptoms:

• Migraines?
• Tinnitus?
• Facial pain?
• Dizziness?
• Neck pain?
• Vertigo?
• Nausea?
• Clicking and popping noises?
• Locked Jaw
• Tiring of the jaw muscles

These can all be symptoms of TMJ disease, as are head and facial pain, earaches or stuffiness in ears, numbness in fingers and arms, limited movement or locking of jaw, and pain behind the eyes. Patients suffering from these symptoms should contact our office serving the Reno area for TMJ disease treatment as soon as possible.

Ringing in the ears, or tinnitus, is a symptom of TMJ disease that is commonly misdiagnosed but, with proper treatment, can be relieved. Tinnitus often results from a strained bite caused by jaw misalignment. The complex network of nerves and muscles throughout the head, including the ears, can be affected when the bite is improperly aligned. If you experience tinnitus it may be due to an unstable or misaligned bite. If that is the case, Dr. Beesley can treat the source of the problem, stabilizing and realigning the bite so that the entire jaw area works in harmony.

By the time many of our patients arrive in our office, they have already been seen by chiropractors, neurologists, and ear and nose specialists—without substantial relief of symptoms. They may even have been referred to a psychiatrist because they've been told that "it's all in your mind.”

Our experience has been that otherwise unexplained and chronic head, neck, and facial pain is often symptomatic of TMJ disorder. We can usually reduce and often eliminate the pain experienced by our patients, even those who have been requiring painkillers just to function at a minimal level.

At South Meadows Dental, we offer residents of Reno, Sparks and Northern Nevada area the highest quality cosmetic dentistry available. Contact our Reno office to learn more about how you can have the smile of your dreams! Contact us today!